The event is bittersweet, as the museum will close its doors at the end of the month.

Until then, enjoy the museum and activities that are scheduled through school vacation week. Most programs are free with museum admission.

The Gingerbread Castle Competition held in the Great Hall is a fun-filled day for the entire family. Most programs are free with museum admission.

Children will be able to decorate their own gingerbread cookie, $1 each, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., or until supplies run out. Participants in the gingerbread competition will include local bakeries, culinary students and restaurateurs.

I will judge the contest with John Lawrence, executive chef/owner of Pepper's Fine Catering in Northboro, and Jim Nelson, trustee at Higgins Armory Museum.

Criteria will include overall appearance, originality/creativity, difficulty, consistency of theme and adherence to design parameters.

Museum guests also will cast votes for the People's Choice winner.

Last year, the gingerbread castles were amazing. Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School in Charlton won the popular vote and the Judges' Choice Amateur Division; Sodexo won the Judges' Choice Professional Division.

This year, the vocational schools will be entered in the professional category because of the resources available to them.

Voting will close at 2:30, and the contest winners will be announced at 3 p.m. The museum will award the Professional and Amateur Division winners and the People's Choice winner each with a "one-of-a-kind trophy" and $250.

Visit www.higgins.org for more information about remaining events.

Holiday spectacular!

The owners of Jopa's Webster House Restaurant, 1 Webster St., Worcester, recently sent customers an email with lunch and dinner coupons and a message that the restaurant is not for sale.

"It has recently come to our attention that there is a rumor going around that our restaurant is closing, or it may be for sale," wrote JoAnn Woupio-Gaboury and husband, Paul Gaboury.

"Just to clear the air…We've been here for 75 years and are better than ever. The building is for sale, but not our business."

Good news for customers.

Note: The restaurant is taking orders for Christmas pies.

For more info about getting on the email list, call (508) 757-7208.

Gift cards to Skyline Bistro at Worcester Technical High School in Worcester are available.

Students in the culinary program at the school prepare the menu items served in the bistro, which is open to the public from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. Daily specials are available. Reservations are advised; call (508) 799-1964.

The holiday list of specialty cakes and pastries also is available at the shop.

Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts will host "Fork It Over," a cookie culinary competition Feb. 6 at Coral Seafood Restaurant in Worcester.

Tickets are $30 each; $50 for two, if purchased by Jan. 31.

Visit www.yourtimewellspent.org or call (800) 462-9100.

The fundraiser features chefs from Central Massachusetts who create appetizers and desserts inspired by Girl Scout cookies. Tastings, live music and more.

A Belgium and European Beer Tasting is scheduled from noon to 3 p.m. Dec. 14 at Yankee Spirits in Sturbridge.

There will be an estimated eight tables with beer samples. Telephone (508) 347-2231 for more information.

What's the holiday season without a new recipe?

Parade contributor and chef Nisa Burns includes Sweet Chili Cranberry Meatballs in her book "Kitchenability 101: The College Students' Guide to Easy, Healthy and Delicious Food."

The recipe is simple enough to get everyone into the kitchen and the holiday spirit, according to Burns.

Visit www.kitchenability.com to learn more about the chef.

Sweet Chili Cranberry Meatballs: Place 1 16-ounce can of jellied cranberry sauce and 1½ cups sweet chili sauce in saucepan or slow cooker over low heat. Mix the cranberry sauce and sweet chili sauce together until combined. Add 2½ tablespoons brown sugar and juice of ½ a lemon and stir to combine. Allow the sauce to slowly warm, stirring occasionally, about 10 to 15 minutes. Add in 2 12-ounce packages of frozen precooked turkey meatballs. Stir occasionally with a rubber spatula, being sure to scrape down the sides of the pot.

It's the "12 Tastings of Christmas" at the Vin Bin, with locations at 91 Main St., Marlboro, and 22 South St., Hopkinton.

Both stores will have wine selections open for tasting.

Visit www.thevinbin.com.

Livia's Dish, 1394 Main St., Worcester (www.liviasdish.com), will be open from 4 to 10 p.m. New Year's Eve.

The restaurant will offer a prix-fixe menu, $30 per person, that will include appetizer, a choice of fish, steak or chicken, dessert and a complimentary glass of champagne at the end of the meal.